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to his tail. Many would crave leave to go home of their own desire; the remainder he could send on to Winchester with Isabella. The less traveling Isabella did in her breeding condition the better. That would leave him free, with none but the mercenaries accompanying him or those witnesses whom he knew to be safe, to pay his "visit" to Iford. |
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The renewed sense of satisfaction lasted four days. John was impatient to taste his joys, but he restrained himself. He could not hurry Isabella's pace in traveling for fear she would miscarry, which, after her long barrenness, would be a tragedy. Nor could he appear to fret lest he hint at some purpose and wake suspicions in his courtiers. With so happy a goal to dwell upon, John found the day they spent resting at Portsmouth and the second day they spent resting at Netly Abbey more bearable than he expected. Had he known what had occurred minutes after his messenger left Roselynde, he would have been far less content. |
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Cedric had made his way up to the great hall and into the smallest and least-convenient wall chamber. He knew that the young man who lodged there was in some sense a prisoner and not to be mentioned to anyone who came to the keep. Sir Guy, of course, had no authority, but the lady had sent him on a mission, which he had performed to her satisfaction, and the new lord had spoken to him kindly. Cedric had an idea that he must do something about the arrival of the king's messenger; he knew it was important, but no instructions had been left for him about what to do. It was his instinct to seek orders from the gentlefolk. Since no one else was there, he would ask Sir Guy. The response he received was so much what he had thought was right himself but had been afraid to do without authority that he had no further doubts. A messenger was dispatched posthaste to Iford to inform Lord Ian and Lady Alinor that the king was close by Roselynde and had sought lodging there. |
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